Living in Rainier, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rainier · Census data 2020–2024
Rainier has 2,455 residents with a median age of 36.3. The median household income is $106,019 (8% higher than the Washington median), the median home value is $425,900, the median rent is $1,227/month.
Rainier at a glance
- Population
- 2,455
- Median age
- 36.3State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $106,019State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $425,900State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,227/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 85.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22.4%
- Average commute
- 38 min
Is Rainier a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 8% higher than the Washington median; home values 25% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5%.
Cons: An average commute of 38 minutes; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Rainier
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rainier the median home value is $425,900, 28% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,227 per month, which is 23.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,193 a month in housing costs.
Rainier median household income
The median household income in Rainier is $106,019 and the income per person is $34,592. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Rainier: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 850
- Owner-occupied
- 85.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 14.2%
- Vacant
- 7.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1994
- Average household size
- 3.12
Rainier demographics
- Population
- 2,455
- Median age
- 36.3
- Under 18
- 29.7%
- 65 and older
- 11.5%
- Households
- 788
- Foreign-born
- 5.1%
- Veterans
- 10.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rainier ›
Education in Rainier
22.4% of adults 25 and older in Rainier have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 9.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rainier
- Unemployment rate
- 5%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 38 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 23.6%
- Drive alone
- 69.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.9%
Rainier vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainier | 2,455 | $106,019 | $425,900 | $1,227 |
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | $455,300 | $1,626 |
| North Yelm | 2,522 | $73,725 | $384,500 | $1,464 |
| McKenna | 669 | $92,667 | $539,800 | — |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | $369,000 | $1,400 |
| Nisqually Indian Community | 628 | $73,750 | $310,000 | $1,000 |
| Roy | 735 | $98,750 | $442,600 | $2,227 |
| Bucoda | 494 | $73,250 | $270,000 | $1,338 |
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | $457,100 | $1,870 |
More for people moving to Rainier
Rainier ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rainier: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rainier, WA?
The median household income in Rainier is $106,019, 8% higher than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Rainier?
The median home value in Rainier is $425,900, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Rainier?
The median gross rent in Rainier is $1,227 per month, about 23.9% of household income.
Is Rainier, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 8% higher than the Washington median; home values 25% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5%. Minuses: an average commute of 38 minutes; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
What is the median age in Rainier?
The median age in Rainier is 36.3 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Rainier?
The average commute to work in Rainier is 38 minutes; 23.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rainier?
The unemployment rate in Rainier is 5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rainier?
22.4% of adults in Rainier have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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